Student Volunteer Receives Statewide Honors

A local Cerritos high school student was recently recognized as one of California's top youth volunteers by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

Whitney High School student Vighnesh Iyer, 16, was one of ten distinguished finalists in the nation's largest youth recognition program honoring young people for their "outstanding acts of volunteerism."

Iyer received the award for service he performed during a month-long trip to Ghana. 

During that time, Iyer taught english to local children, helped design a new website, and also assisted in setting up a nonprofit organization in the country.  Iyer also recruited students from both France and America to travel to Ghana next summer to assist in other projects aimed at helping the population.

Iyer joins 9 other finalists in California who were also recognized by the program which is sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and Prudential Financial. 

According to the program, an independent judging panel based its decisions on personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact, and personal growth.

“Through their selfless acts of service, these award recipients have greatly improved the lives of others,” said Prudential Chairman and CEO John Strangfeld. “We hope their stories and their dedication inspire other young people to do the same,” he said.

Iyer was one of 5,000 young volunteers who were considered nationwide for the recognition.  All public and private high schools and middle schools, along with organizations such as 4-H, the Girl Scouts, and the American Red Cross were eligible to nominate a volunteer.  

"We are so pleased to celebrate these student volunteers,” said JoAnn Bartoletti, the executive director of NASSP. “It’s important to highlight them as powerful examples of how young people can make a difference," she said.